Pulverized Leaf Cigarette Structure

ABSTRACT

A pulverized leaf cigarette structure consisting of a smokable cylinder that is made of one hundred-percent (100%) pulverized leaf, such as tobacco or  cannabis . Means for applying pressure facilitates a quantity of pulverized leaf to be formed into a cylinder with significant structure integrity. Once the pulverized leaf is within the means for applying pressure to the pulverized leaf is compressed into the cylinder shape. The pulverized leaf cylinder is then removed from the means for applying pressure and can be smoked.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention generally pertains substance smoking devices, and moreparticularly to a smokable structure made of a pulverized leaf substanceconfigured with no wrapper or other covering.

BACKGROUND ART

Although smoking cigarettes and other tobacco products is on thedecline, there are many people throughout the world who still smoke. Inthe United States and certain other countries it is anticipated that apreviously illegal leaf product will soon be legalized for smoking orother uses. In some countries it is already legal.

One of the most predominant concerns of people who smoke manufacturedcigarettes is that multiple additives, some of which are harmful to aperson's health, are present in the cigarettes. This is also a concernfor cannabis smokers in states or locations where cannabis is legal.Many smokers feel that the optimal smoking experience will occur whenusing a pure pulverized leaf substance without the need for any type ofwrapper around the leaf substance.

Typically, a wrapper is made of paper, which is known as cigarette paperor wrapping paper, and is used to maintain tobacco or another pulverizedleaf substance in a tube-like structure for smoking essentially. Allmanufactured cigarettes utilize a wrapper, and people who “roll theirown” cigarettes also use a wrapper. The only purpose of the wrapper isto maintain the tobacco or pulverized leaf in a cohesive structure thatcan be lit and inhaled from.

It would be extremely beneficial to provide a smokable structure thatdoes not require a wrapper or other covering and is made entirely ofpulverized leaf. Optimally, the structure would allow manufacturedcigarettes or cigars to be provided without a wrapper, and would allowindividuals to produce their own wrapper-less cigarettes when desired. Awrapper-less pulverized leaf smokable structure would also preferably bemade of one hundred-percent (100%) pulverized leaf, without anyadditives or chemicals, which are typically extremely harmful.

A search of the prior art did not disclose any literature or patentsthat read directly on the claims of the instant invention. However, thefollowing U.S. patents are considered related:

PATENT NO. INVENTOR ISSUED 1,073,422 Kattar 16 Sep. 1913 3,766,929Roman, Sr. 23 Oct. 1973 4,391,285 Burnett, et al 5 Jul. 1983 4,481,954Luke et al 13 Nov. 1984 4,691,717 Ikeda el al 8 Sep. 1987 9,032,970Szarvas 19 May 2015 2017/0119039 Dena 5 Apr. 2015

The U.S. Pat. No. 1,073,422 discloses cigarette made with a long-fibertobacco filling in which long shreds of tobacco are arrangedlongitudinally, forming a compact mass within the wrapper. The fibers ofa protrusion of the filling extend slightly beyond the ends of thewrapper. This protrusion is desirable in that it renders the roll orstick at the ends slightly less compact in texture than that which isdirectly within the wrapper. Thus causing the products of combustionpassing through the other end to expand and cool.

The U.S. Pat. No. 3,766,929 discloses an apparatus for the production ofa cartridge of smoking tobacco for a smoking pipe. The apparatusconsists of a mold member defining a cylindrical chamber with acylindrical plunger adapted for insertion therein for compression of cutpieces of tobacco. Each member has a central axial opening for receivingand supporting the ends of a core piece while tobacco is pressed in themold member around the core piece.

The U.S. Pat. No. 4,391,285 discloses a smoking article comprising ahigh density, relatively low porosity coherent mass of combustibletobacco-containing material having at least one passage extendingtherethrough. The smoking article is a cylinder having at least onepassage and a plug of ignitable material in passage blocking position tone end of the passage. The plug permitting puff induced air flowtherethrough. At least one additional plug may be similarly disposed atthe opposite end of the passage or at an intermediate pint in thepassage.

The U.S. Pat. No. 4,481,954 discloses a method for modifying theperipheral conformation of a cigarette, which has an external, beatdeformable, wrapper comprising a proportion of thermoplastic fibers orfilaments. Heat is applied to the wrapper by a heat forming means movedrelatively and in contact with the cigarette, in a direction transverseto the longitudinal axis of the cigarette.

The U.S. Pat. No. 4,691,717 discloses a cigarette that is covered with asheath made of material which does not generate any appreciable amountof smoke when the cigarette is sucked but burns when the cigarette issucked. The material is made of starch, agar, gelatin or a mixturethereof.

The U.S. Pat. No. 9,032,970 discloses a highly efficient cigarettefilter in which materials of natural origin not used before are applied.The cigarette filter can be used for absorbing the toxic components ofthe cigarette smoke, and neutralizing the free radicals produced duringburning of the cigarette.

The 2017/0119039 publication discloses a smokable pulverized leafstructure consisting of a smnokable cylinder and a mold for producingthe smokable cylinder. The smokable cylinder is made of pulverize leaf,such as tobacco or cannabis held together by a binding agent. The moldhas a plurality of plates that are maintained together in a geometricform by at least one strap. A rod is inserted into the mold and then aquantity of pulverized leaf is poured into the mold. Once the leaf iswithin the mold, a press is utilized to apply pressure ground the mold,thus compressing the pulverized leaf within. After the pressure isapplied the rod is removed.

For background purposes and indicative of the art to which the inventionrelates reference may be made to the following remaining patents foundin the patent search.

PATENT NO. INVENTOR ISSUED 1,880,825 Corces 4 Oct. 1932 3,646,944Banoczi 7 Mar. 1972

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In its basic design the pulverized leaf cigarette structure is comprisedof a smokable cylinder made entirely of one hundred-percent (100%)pulverized leaf means for applying pressure comprising a press orsqueezing device are utilized to produce the structure such as tobaccoor cannabis. A rod is inserted into the means for applying pressure andthen a quantity of pulverized leaf is poured into the means for applyingpressure. Pressure from the means compresses the pulverized leaf within.After the pressure is applied, the rod is removed. Additional pulverizedleaf is then inserted into the space created when the rod was removed.With the space filled, a solid smokable cylinder is created. If desireda filter can be attached to either end of the smokable cylinder.

In an alternate design, for greater manufacturing quantity, a hopperdirects pulverized leaf into an extruding apparatus that produces anelongated smokable cylinder. Whatever desired length of each smokablecylinder can then be cut from the elongated cylinder.

The benefits of the structure are that either individuals or companiescan use the inventive concept to produce a smokable structure. The meansfor applying pressure could be sold as a single unit to an individualfor making smokable cylinders at home, or means for applying pressurecould be adaptable to large-scale production of smokable cylinders. Whenused at home, a person can be sure that the pulverized leaf they areusing is one hundred-percent (100%) free of additives and/or chemicals.

In view of the above disclosure the primary object of the invention isto provide a pulverized leaf cigarette structure that allows awrapper-less smokable cylinder of pulverized leaf to be quickly andeasily produced.

In addition to the primary object of the invention, it is also an objectof the invention to produce a pulverized leaf cigarette structure that:

-   -   utilizes means for applying pressure that is easy to use,    -   can produce smokable cylinders of pulverized leaf in any size        desired or required,    -   can utilize multiple methods of manufacture,    -   can produce smokable cylinders from any type of smokable leaf,    -   can save a smoker a significant amount of money by producing        their own smokable cylinders,    -   allows a person to know exactly what type of smokable leaf is        utilized, and to know that no additives or chemicals have been        included,    -   creates a more personal smoking experience,    -   can include a mouthpiece filter that is either also made of        pulverized leaf, or is a conventional synthetic material, and    -   is cost effective from both a manufacturer's and consumer's        point of view.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the subsequent detailed description of thepreferred embodiment and the appended claims taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an orthographic view showing a pulverized leaf cigarettestructure (PLCS) made entirely of pulverized leaf and not having awrapper or covering.

FIG. 2 is an elevational side view of the PLCS.

FIG. 3 is an orthographic view showing the PLCS with a center bore.

FIG. 4 is an elevational side view showing the PLCS with a mouthpiecefilter on one end.

FIG. 5 is an orthographic view showing a press type means for applyingpressure.

FIG. 6 is an orthographic view showing a squeeze type means for applyingpressure.

FIG. 7 is an elevational view showing an extruding apparatus with ahopper.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms thatdisclose a pulverized leaf cigarette structure (PLCS) and method forproducing the structure. There have long been objects that facilitatethe smoking of a crushed or pulverized leaf substance. These objectsinclude pipes, wrapping paper (which is also known as cigarette paper)and, in the case of a cigar, a tobacco leaf wrapper. Rolled cigarettesbecame and are still the most widely utilized object for smoking tobaccoand other leaf substances. This is because cigarettes, whethermanufactured or self-roiled, are a quick and convenient facilitates forsmoking. Many people though would prefer to smoke a leaf substance in apipe in order to enjoy just the leaf substance without the paperwrapper.

The structure disclosed herein provides an alternative that offers theconvenience of a cigarette without the paper or any other type ofwrapper. The smokable structure allows a smoker to inhale only the leafsubstance and to know exactly what is added to, or not added to, theleaf substance. This is important because manufactured cigarettes havemultiple additives, many of which are deemed harmful to a person'shealth.

The structure 10, as shown in FIGS. 1-7, includes a smokable cylinder12, and a method that facilitates the manufacture of the smokablecylinder. The smokable cylinder 12 comprises an outer surface 14, afirst end 16 and a second end 18. In the preferred embodiment, thesmokable cylinder 12 is made entirely of a pulverized leaf 22 substance,as shown in FIG. 1. The structure that is produced can be a solidcircular design, or the structure can have a center bore that allowsadditional pulverized leaf to be inserted therein during manufacture, orthe structure with the bore can be provided to users to allow a user toinsert their own choice of pulverized leaf (or other substance) into thebore. In order to compress the pulverized leaf 22 into a cylindrical,cigarette shape, a means for applying pressure 26 are utilized, whichcan be a press type means 28, as shown in FIG. 5, or a squeeze typemeans, as shown in FIG. 6.

A funnel 42 can be utilized to pour the pulverized leaf 22 into meansfor applying pressure 26. The funnel 42 is either integrally attached tothe means for applying pressure 26, or can be a separate component thatis placed above the means. During this process the means for applyingpressure 26 can be vibrated to ensure the pulverized leaf 22 completelyfills the means for applying pressure 26.

Once the pulverized leaf 22 is within the means for applying pressure 26a center rod 40 which is made of hard material such as metal or plasticis inserted into the pulverized leaf. Pressure is then applied eithermanually or from mechanical/powered means, thereby compressing thepulverized leaf 22.

After pressure is applied and the pulverized leaf is compressed, the rod40 is removed and a hard shell of compressed pulverized leaf is leftwithin the means for applying pressure. If desired at this point, toincrease the structural integrity of the smokable structure, a bindingagent (not shown) such as wax or an oil can be applied to the shell ofpulverized leaf. Additionally, a binding agent can be mixed with thepulverize leaf before the leaf is inserted into the means for applyingpressure 26.

In an alternate design, a hollow tube can be placed above the PLCS. Thehollow tube 38 is filled with additional pulverized leaf. A solid tuberod can then be pushed downward into the pulverized leaf structurethereby creating a solid smokable structure that is made of two or moretypes of pulverized leaf.

The basic design of the PLCS comprises the following:

-   -   a quantity of pulverized leaf,    -   means for applying pressure having an opening, and    -   a center rod.

The pulverized leaf 22 is inserted into the means for applying pressure26 via an opening and the rod is inserted into the substantial center ofthe pulverized leaf within the means for applying pressure. Pressure isapplied, the center rod is extracted and a solid, structurallymaintained smokable cylinder of pulverized leaf is removed from themeans for applying pressure.

The preferred envisioned steps for producing the pulverized leafstructure are:

-   -   acquire a quantity of pulverized leaf.    -   grind pulverized leaf to an uniform consistently,    -   place pulverized leaf through a mesh screen for uniform size,    -   pour pulverize leaf into hopper in an extruding apparatus or a        pressure applying means,    -   place a weighed amount of extruded pulverize leaf into a        polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) extruding apparatus or pressure        applying means with geometric shaped openings,    -   is place PTFE or metal rod into substantial center of pulverized        leaf surrounding the rod,    -   place cap over a center opening sleeve that is inserted into or        onto the extruding apparatus or pressure applying means to        eliminate pulverized leaf from spilling out.    -   apply pressure to pulverized leaf to compress leaf,    -   place compressed leaf in a heating means, such as an oven to        harden structure, and    -   (if desired) apply mouthpiece filter to one end of structure.

Alternately, a hopper 56 is filled with pulverized leaf that falls intothe extruding device, goes through at least one form to produce thebasic shape, proceeds through heating element, is hardened and cut tolength. The resulting structure is a solid core or a tube that can befilled and a filter placed thereon. Also, in lieu of an oven as theheating means, a hot/heated air blower could be utilized.

The above disclosed steps are one method of producing the smokablepulverized leaf cylinder. There are other methods and/or embodimentscontemplated which can be equally effective for producing a smokablecylinder. For example, a two-piece means for applying pressure design,the pulverized leaf substance is inserted into an opening and pressureis applied. There is no center rod within the opening. Preferably abinding agent is utilized to increase the smokable structure's abilityto maintain circular shape.

In another alternate method, instead of utilizing a means for applyingpressure comprising a multi-component mold that is opened after pressureis applied, a mold that allows a smokable structure to be manually orautomatically pushed outward from the opening and cut at a desiredlength can be utilized. This design could be made in a relatively largersize to produce a single smokable structure that can be cut at variouslocations to product multiple smokable structures.

For any of the methods, the pulverized leaf can be passed through ascreen, which can be of various mesh sizes to allow for uniformity ofand various sizes of leaf to be produced and utilized. After the leafpasses through the screen, a binding agent can be applied to maintainthe shape and integrity of the final smokable cylinder. Also, for any ofthe designs and methods is the components of the means for applyingpressure that come into contact with the leaf can be coated with Teflonor a similar substance that will reduce sticking of the leaf to thecomponents.

While a circular shape smokable structure is preferred, the invention isnot limited to this shape. Any geometric shape smokable structure can becreated by altering the shape of the opening in the means for applyingpressure. The circular shape geometry structure can vary in wallthickness and length as well as solid core structure.

To add to the utility and improve the smoking experience for somepeople, a mouthpiece filter 50, as shown in FIG. 4, can be utilized. Themouthpiece filter 50 is also preferably made of a pulverized leaf 22substance but can also be made of other material such as plastic orpaper/cardboard. The mouthpiece consists of a cylindrical tube that canbe hardened with a binding agent. The mouthpiece 50 is dimensioned tofit onto and be frictionally maintained on one end of the smokablecylinder. The mouthpiece 50 can be utilized as a hollow design, or asmokable non-pulverized piece of leaf can be wrapped around a filter andattached to the smokable cylinder 12. The mouthpiece filter 50 can alsobe wrapped in a cloth material such as hemp cloth, with or without adecorative element

While the invention has been described in detail and pictorially shownin the accompanying drawings it is not to be limited to such details,since many changes and modification may be made to the invention withoutdeparting from the spirit and the scope thereof. Hence, it is describedto cover any and all modifications and forms which may come within thelanguage and scope of the claims.

1. A pulverized leaf cigarette structure (PLCS) comprising a smokablecylinder of pulverized leaf without a paper wrapper or covering.
 2. Thepulverized leaf cigarette structure of claim 1, wherein the PLCS is madeentirely of pulverized leaf with no additives or chemicals.
 3. Thepulverized leaf cigarette structure as specified in claim 1, whereinsaid pulverized leaf is comprised of tobacco.
 4. The pulverized leafcigarette structure as specified in claim 1, wherein said pulverizedleaf is comprised of cannabis.
 5. A pulverized leaf cigarette structure(PLCS) that is made entirely of pulverized leaf, without a paper wrapperor covering surrounding the pulverized leaf or the inclusion ofadditives or chemicals to the pulverized lea the PLCS comprised of: aquantity of pulverized leaf, means for applying pressure having anopening, and a center rod, the pulverized leaf is inserted into themeans for applying pressure via the opening, the rod is inserted intothe substantial center of the pulverized leaf within the means forapplying pressure and pressure is applied, the center rod is extractedand a solid structural maintained smokable cylinder of pulverized isremoved for the means for applying pressure.
 6. The pulverized leafcigarette structure of claim 5, wherein said pulverized leaf iscomprised of tobacco.
 7. The pulverized leaf cigarette structure ofclaim 5, wherein said pulverized leaf is comprised of cannabis.
 8. Thepulverized leaf cigarette structure of claim 5, wherein the means forapplying pressure is configured for manual operation.
 9. The pulverizedleaf cigarette structure of claim 5, wherein the means for applyingpressure is configured for automatic, pulverized operation.
 10. Thepulverized leaf cigarette structure of claim 5, wherein the means forapplying pressure is comprise of a press device.
 11. The pulverized leafcigarette structure of claim 5, wherein the means for applying pressureis comprised of a squeeze device.
 12. The pulverized leaf cigarettestructure of claim 5, further comprising a funnel that is utilized toinsert the pulverized leaf into the opening, wherein the funnel extendsupward from the opening and is integrally attached to the means forapplying pressure or is a separate component.
 13. The pulverized leafcigarette structure of claim 5, further comprising a mouthpiece that isconfigured to fit into sand be frictionally maintained on one end of thepulverized leaf cylinder.
 14. The pulverized leaf cigarette structure ofclaim 5, further comprising a screen having a mesh of a selectable sizethrough which the pulverized leaf passes to selectively control the simand uniformity of the pulverized leaf.
 15. The pulverized leaf cigarettestructure of claim 5, further comprising heating means that producesheat that is applied to the pulverized leaf that is inside the means forapplying pressure, wherein the heat functions to harden the leaf,thereby producing a cylinder with a hard outer surface.
 16. Thepulverized leaf cigarette structure of claim 5, further comprisingheating means that produces heat that is applied to the pulverize leafstructure after removal from the means for applying pressure, whereinthe heat functions to harden the leaf, thereby producing a cylinder witha hard outer surface.
 17. A method for producing a pulverized leafcigarette structure comprising the following steps: acquire a quantityof pulverized leaf, grind pulverized leaf to a uniform consistently,place pulverized leaf through a mesh screen for uniform size, pourpulverize leaf into hopper in an extruding apparatus or a pressureapplying means, place a weighed amount of extruded pulverize leaf intoan extruding apparatus or pressure applying means with geometric shapedopenings, place polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or metal rod intosubstantial center of pulverized leaf surrounding the rod, place a capover a center opening sleeve that is inserted into or onto the extrudingapparatus or pressure applying means to eliminate pulverized leaf fromspilling out, apply pressure to pulverized leaf to compress lea, placecompressed leaf in a heating means to harden structure, and applymouthpiece filter to one end of structure.
 18. The pulverized leafcigarette structure of claim 17, wherein the pulverized leaf iscomprised of tobacco or cannabis.
 19. The pulverized leaf cigarettestructure of claim 17 wherein the heating means is comprised of an oven.